Who qualifies as a first-time home buyer?

A first-time home buyer is considered anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years.

Additionally, these programs allow others outside this definition to be considered as first-time homebuyers:

  • A displaced homemaker (defined as someone who has not worked full-time within the last two years and has been unemployed/underemployed and worked to care for their home and family) who owned a home with their spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse.  
  • A single parent who owned a home with their spouse or resided in a home owned by their spouse who is now either unmarried or legally separated from that spouse or has custody of at least one child (or is currently pregnant).
  • Or someone who has owned a residence during the last 3-year period that is a dwelling unit either not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation OR is not in compliance with state or local codes and cannot be brought into compliance for less than the cost of a permanent structure. 

Show All Answers

1. Who qualifies as a first-time home buyer?
2. What are the income limits for the HOME/CalHome program?
3. What is the maximum amount of assistance an individual could receive?
4. Does the loan recipient have to live in the home purchased with these funds?
5. What are the terms on these loans?
6. What types of homes or housing units may be purchased using these loans?
7. How can I get information on these programs?